KZN champion trainer Dennis Drier put a shaky start to his Cape summer campaign behind him in just under 72 seconds at Kenilworth on Saturday. Crack lightweight Sean Veale celebrated a rare visit to his hometown with a beautifully balanced ride to get Triptique home to win the R400 000 Gr2 Cape Merchants.
Sean Veale gets Triptique to withstand the strong challenge of Tevez (Aldo Domeyer) down the outside (Pic: Wayne Marks)
Dennis Drier (pic: hamishNIVENPhotography)
‘Uncle Den’ has had a few disappointments in the past few weeks, with many of his runners having the form, but appearing to need the outing.
One example on the day was the yard’s 16-10 Whitley Willows, who was fancied to win the third. His tank was empty when Sean Cormack asked him for an effort in the maiden 1400m.
But the lightly raced Triptique has hardly put a foot wrong and returned from a 12 week break in a galloping mood, to show his aptitude and passion for the Kenilworth 1200m – the only track and trip that he has won on.
The Veale Deal – Sean Veale rode a cracker
The KZN based former ‘Capie’ Sean Veale had the son of Trippi in a relaxed midfield position early as he tracked his pacy stablemate Generalissimo, and Asstar, with a few groups spread across the track.
The handsome specimen Generalissimo led into the 300m and looked to be going very well as challenges came from all sides.
But in his distinctive cowboy style, Veale was waiting to swoop and he was all energy and action as he got Triptique to cruise into contention with 250m to go.
Capitalising on his bottom weight of 52kgs, he forced the chasing Tevez to carry every ounce of his extra 6kgs, as Aldo Domeyer got the gallant son of Caesour up into the firing line on the outside.
It was a terrific effort by the Sporting Post weekend cover star Tevez, who was paying all of R20 a tote win at the jump.
The manner in which he weaved his way through from way back early, only to be denied what would have been a memorable Merchants hat-trick by 0,40 lengths, would have endeared him further to local racing enthusiasts.
Veale however was already celebrating as he saluted with the winner clocking 71,81 secs for the 1200m.
Andrew Fortune got Zambezi River to flash up for third in a blanket finish for the minor money, with Gulf Storm and the winner’s stablemate Generalisimo fighting it out for fourth.
Disappointments of the race, in a wide open typically competitive handicap, would have to include:
The fancied and well-supported Line Break who failed to get into a winning position and ran 2,90 lengths behind.
Same Jurisdiction – a quiet opener to Cape campaign
Duncan Howells’ Gr1 winning filly Same Jurisdiction, who was outpaced and finished 3,85 lengths back in midfield. She will no doubt have some bigger fish to fry come January.
The Vaughan Marshall-trained Exelero gave problems at the start and blotted his recently revitalised copybook, running 5,45 lengths off the winner.
Glen Kotzen’s top filly Double Whammy showed pace after a long break but stopped to nothing and ran a 13,70 length last.
The Moutonshoek-bred Triptique was a R300 000 National Yearling Sale purchase.
He took his earnings to R451 625 at his first stakes victory.
Triptique, who races in the popular Braam van Huyssteen dayglo yellow flag, has done very little wrong, making it 4 wins with 5 places from 9 starts. Another progressive son of Trippi, he is out of the twice winning Jallad mare, Pearl River.
The Drier roadshow will be celebrating the Gr2 first and fourth with some alacrity. Follow them from now on.
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Gr2 Cape Merchants (SAf-Gr2)
Kenilworth, South Africa, November 14, R400k, 1200m, turf, good, 1.11.81
1 – TRIPTIQUE (SAF), 52.0, b g 4, Trippi (USA) – Pearl River (SAF) by Jallad (USA). Owner Messrs A J van Huyssteen, William Henderson & J W Rauch; Breeder Moutonshoek; trainer DR Drier; jockey S Veale
2 – Tevez (SAF), 58.0, b g 6, Caesour (USA) – Minelli (SAF) by Elliodor (FR)
3 – Zambezi River (SAF), 55.5, b g 4, Trippi (USA) – Margaret River (USA) by Seeking The Gold (USA)
Margins: 0.40, 1.75, 0.30
